The history of Boss’s Day 2017 dates back to 1958 when the concept of National Boss Day was founded by Patricia Bays Haroski, then an employee at State Farm Insurance Company in Deerfield, Illinois. That year, Patricia Bays Haroski registered the holiday with the United States Chamber of Commerce. She designated October 16 as the special day because it was her father’s birthday, who also happened to be her boss. Four years later in 1962, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner backed Haroski’s registration and officially proclaimed the day.

Today, Boss’s Day 2017 has gained increasing popularity, not only in the United States but across the world, and is now also observed in countries such as Australia, India, and South Africa. However, there has been increasing backlash on the “celebration” of Boss’s Day 2017. The general consensus of those opposing this day is that employees should not feel obligated to celebrate or purchase gifts for their employers who have more power and generally make more money than them and that any gift-giving or appreciation in the workplace should flow from the employer to the employee.
Traditionally, Boss’s Day is viewed as a time of appreciation. Some people give their bosses cards, gift certificates, or flowers or perform kind gestures that show appreciation such as take their boss to lunch. Hallmark Cards did not offer a Boss’s Day card for sale until 1979 and presently many cards are purchased yearly.